West Ham refuse to close the door on ‘unfit’ Cole

Carlton Cole could still be offered the chance to sign a contract with West Ham despite his fitness levels being short of what the club were expecting when they agreed a deal to re-sign him last week.

The former Chelsea striker became a free agent during the summer after he failed to agree a new contract to stay at Upton Park, but has been unable to find a new club.

With club record signing Andy Carroll being forced to miss the start of the season with a heel injury, Sam Allardyce has faced a big problem in his attack and has only Modibo Maiga as an alternative.

West Ham failed to bring in another striker on transfer deadline day as they saw moves for Romelu Lukaku, Demba Ba and Nicklas Bendtner all fall through.

Allardyce switched his attentions back to Cole but, when the former England striker underwent his medical, the club realised his fitness levels had dropped considerably over the summer and they pulled out of the move.

Cole has still been training with the east London club and co-owner David Gold admits they could still strike a deal to take him back if he proves his fitness over the next few weeks.

Gold, speaking on his Twitter site, said: “Carlton Cole is working hard to regain his fitness with a view to possible signing a new contract.”